Update

The CPSC released a clarification today on the law that is about to go into effect:

The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

Read the whole press release here

Big Government

I consider myself to be in the loop for many things. I read a lot and try to stay informed on some of the more major issues that are going on in Washington. I did, however, miss this one until now:

A new government regulation scheduled to take effect next month has thousands of retailers, thrift stores and small businesses worried they will be forced to permanently close their doors – and destroy their merchandise.

The law is expected to have such a devastating impact that Feb. 10 is now unofficially known as "National Bankruptcy Day."

Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, or HR 4040, a retroactive rule mandating that all items sold for use by children under 12 must be tested by an independent party for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable.

All untested items, regardless of lead content, are to be declared "banned hazardous products.'' The CPSC has already determined the law applies to every children's item on shelves, not just to items made beginning Feb. 10.

The regulations could force thousands of businesses – especially smaller ones that cannot afford the cost of lead testing – to throw away truckloads of children's clothing, books, toys, furniture and other children's items and even force them to close their doors.

What this means is that business like Goodwill, Children's Consignment Shops, SAHM who make children's products, and many other good business will all go out of business. Why? Because they cannot afford to have their items tested for lead. Why are we punishing Americans when we should be regulating what we get from China instead? I'm also sure that we can expect prices to go up, especially for the smaller businesses like Usborne Books and many of the homeschool resources that many of us use.

Read the whole article here

Something to smile about

How much worse can it get? The answer is, unfortunately, quite a bit worse.

Beginning Jan. 20, a new administration and a new Congress take power. There is little reason to believe they will be making good choices for America, and there's plenty of evidence they will attack our most basic and cherished liberties.

Look for the economy to get even worse as it did from 1977 through 1980, when we suffered double-digit inflation and Americans had to get used to gas lines. Look for America to be attacked and bullied as it was in a similar period from 1977 through 1980, when the Soviets marched into Afghanistan and the Iranians took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

We won't have the same problems Democrats brought us in those days. We will have new ones. But they will translate into misery and humiliation. Mark my words.

So, again, why am I happy?

Well, that's the bad news. But today is not a day for bad news. Today is a day to look at the opportunities before us – to discover the silver lining in those foreboding dark clouds on the political horizon.

Here's the good news. There will be nobody else to blame for what transpires in the next two years but the Democrats, who, for the first time since 1993 and 1994, have a hammerlock of control on the levers of power.

Do you remember what happened in 1994? Do you recall what happened in 1980?

There is not only an opportunity for a revitalized Republican Party inspired by the ideals of Ronald Reagan and remade in his image, there is a near certainty such a party will be given new life in 2010 and again in 2012. All the GOP has to do is recognize that those Grand Old Principles really work and have plenty of appeal to the American public.

Read the whole article here

Reflections on a Financial Meltdown

For the past couple of months the United States was been experiencing what we are told is an economic crisis. Indeed, stock markets are down considerably and the jobless rate is rising. Financial institutions are closing and the overall economy is slowing.

The mantra of the media and many politicians pins the Wall Street meltdown on "corporate greed." We hear this mess was spawned by de-regulation of the banking industry. And there is a cry for the federal government to step in to make everything better, from fixing failing banks to bailing ailing auto manufacturers to propping up debt-ridden cities and consumers.

While the blame game is in full gear, the average citizen is left in a fog to sort through the rhetoric. What to make of it all? What is the cause of our financial woes? And what is government's role in fixing it? A little worldview analysis helps clear away the fog to reveal the underlying problem and, therefore, the proper solution.

Read the whole article here

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human body, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease."

-Thomas Edison

A Few Quotes

I was listening to the radio today and I heard a couple of good quotes. I thought you all might enjoy them :-)

"A gun in the hand is better than police on the phone"

"Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist"

Quick Note

My sister's in town so I've been busy with her, but please take time to go visit The Granny's blog. It's worth it.